Western Sydney Public Transport Users Inc -
a voice for public transport users in Greater Western Sydney

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Infrastructure Australia Bypasses Western Sydney.

It looks like the Federal Infrastructure spending announced yesterday, described by the SMH as a 'once-in-a-generation' opportunity, has completely missed Western Sydney as far as public transport is concerned.

It's quite mind boggling actually, considering the growth that Western Sydney is experiencing as both in-fill and green-fields developments. Look at this quote from the Australian Bureau of Statistics:

"Almost all LGAs in Sydney experienced population growth in the year to June2008. Nine of the ten LGAs with the largest population growth in NSW were withinthe Sydney SD. Blacktown (C) in western Sydney had the largest populationincrease of any LGA in NSW, up 5,300 people, followed by the adjacent LGA ofParramatta (C) (4,000 people). Large population growth also occurred in BaulkhamHills (A) (3,300 people) in the north-west, Liverpool (C) (3,200 people) in thesouth-west, and in the inner-city LGA of Sydney (C) (2,500 people). Within theSydney SD, LGAs which experienced population decline in 2007-08 were Ashfield(A), in the inner west, as well as Manly (A) and Lane Cove (A) in northernSydney."http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/3218.0~2007-08~Main+Features~New+South+Wales?OpenDocument#LOCALGOVERNMENTAREAPOPULATIONS

The State population growth is only 1.1% and the national rate is 1.7%. Most of Western Sydney council areas exceed these rates including Auburn (3.1%), Blacktown (1.9%), Camden (2.2%), Holroyd (2.1%), Parramatta (2.5%) and Baulkham Hills (2%). Blacktown has the largest population, by almost a third again, of any of the councils in NSW, (Blacktown, 291,612; Sutherland is the next biggest with 215, 868).

Given the abandoned and postponed railway infrastructure projects and the huge shift of resources to the inner-city based Metro project by the State, and now, the lack of investment proposed by the Commonwealth, we have to wonder what this will mean for Sydney, Australia's largest and busiest city.

Even bus stops, a microscopic proposal in the scheme of things, couldn't get a go.

At least the urban freeway projects didn't get preference over the public transport infrastructure - but that is hardly anything to celebrate.

It's understandable that Infrastructure Australia won't want to provide funding to projects assessed as deficient, but this "you aren't ready so you miss out" approach is not responsible or in the national interest.

Join the WSPTU Facebook forum

WSPTU Calendar 2014

Who is the WSPTU?

The WSPTUis an independent voice for public transport users in Greater Western Sydney. The WSPTU supports the work of local people and groups to improve public transport in their area.

The Steering Committee, elected on June 1st at a Special General Meeting:* Sue Day, President/Media Spokesperson* John Svoboda, Secretary/Treasurer* John Seedsman, Vice President* Chis Pandilowski, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer* Leonie Clark, Committee Member* Paul Turner, Committee Member

We'd love to have you, or your local group, as a member. The WSPTU now allows individuals as members. You can find a membership form here, or email us and we'll send you a form (get the membership while it's free!).

NSW Long Term Transport Masterplan 2012

Please leave an email address

Give us your contact details and we will keep you up to date with the activities of the WSPTU. We can also put you in contact with local people working on public transport issues in your area. Email us at wsbustop@gmail.com